World Cup chaos avoided by Trump moves he didn’t make, ‘equally as important’ as actions taken: travel exec

The 2026 World Cup avoided potential travel chaos not only because of what President Donald Trump’s administration did to speed up visas, tighten security and move foreign fans through airports, but also because of what it chose not to do, according to the head of the U.S. Travel Association, which represents over 1,000 organizations across the industry.

In a letter to Trump obtained by Fox News Digital, U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman credited the administration with holding off on several travel-related policies that had been on the table in the run-up to the World Cup, arguing those decisions helped make the tournament a "resounding success."

"In addition to faster visa appointments, the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) did not strain under record volume—processing more than 5 million applications and approvals while maintaining the highest levels of security," Freeman wrote. "Equally as important were several actions your administration did not take prior to and during the World Cup."

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The U.S. Travel Association is one of the travel industry’s most influential Washington voices, describing itself as the national nonprofit representing "all components" of the U.S. travel industry and the "leading voice" for an industry it says is worth about $2.9 trillion. The group says it represents more than 1,000 organizations across the travel sector and advocates on issues including visa policy, airport operations, travel security and international inbound tourism, giving Freeman’s letter added weight as the U.S. prepares to host the Summer and Winter Olympics, as well as the Women's World Cup.

The letter, paired with data from U.S. Travel and Morning Consult, casts the tournament as a tourism and public-diplomacy win that reached beyond stadiums and the cities that hosted the games. Freeman wrote that more than 80% of World Cup travelers were interested in venturing beyond host cities. Meanwhile, the data paired with the letter found 81% of Americans said watching international tourists experience American food, culture and attractions made them proud to be American, and 86% said they felt genuine joy watching visitors have a good time.

Freeman cited "the welcome America extended throughout the tournament" as more than just "a moment of hospitality" but also an investment in the economy and the U.S.'s standing in the world.

The letter and data also pointed to the World Cup as a "blueprint" for future global events, with a poll finding 70% of Americans want the U.S. to host more major events such as the Olympics, World Cup and World’s Fair. The U.S. is set to host the 2028 Summer Olympics, the 2031 Women’s World Cup and the 2034 Winter Olympics.

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Among the moves Freeman praised the administration for not taking were implementing the $250 Visa Integrity Fee before the tournament, moving forward with proposals involving CBP officers at certain airports and imposing newly proposed travel authorization requirements for Visa Waiver Program visitors.

"Because the Congressionally-created $250 per person Visa Integrity Fee was not implemented, visa-visitors from countries like Argentina had additional money to spend in American businesses like Buc-ee’s or locally owned barbecue restaurants," Freeman wrote. "Because proposals to remove CBP officers from certain airports did not move forward, Americans continued to arrive home from abroad and foreign fans, teams, and other participants could enter the U.S. after being efficiently cleared through proper screening."

"Because newly proposed [Electronic System for Travel Authorization] requirements were not implemented, VWP visitors like Scotland’s 'Tartan Army' arrived in record numbers, underwent strong vetting, and used their social media accounts to post about their love for America and the world-class experience it provided," he added.

The data memo accompanying the letter to Trump underscored why U.S. Travel viewed those avoided hurdles as more than bureaucratic travel fights. 

Four-in-five Americans said it is important for international tourists to have a positive experience in the U.S., while 61% said tourism reflects positively on America’s reputation in the world and 50% said visiting the U.S. gives foreigners the most accurate picture of American culture — more than media, news or online sources.

"No other president in history could have pulled off the historic feat that President Trump delivered for the American people and the world," White House spokesperson Davis Ingle told Fox News Digital. "Thanks to his bold vision and decisive leadership, the 2026 FIFA World Cup generated billions of dollars in revenue, created a massive economic boost across host cities, and delivered a safe, secure, and seamless experience for millions of fans and athletes from around the globe. It will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest and most successful sporting events in history."